Seth MacFarlane Rebooting THE FLINTSTONES

Sure, he’s had cut away jokes in Family Guy referencing everyone’s favorite Stone Age family, but now Seth MacFarlane is giving his full attention to The Flintstones. Deadline reports the animation master is set to reboot the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon series as both a TV and film property. Apparently the project has been in the works for sometime now, but there was a lot of red tape to work through, not to mention the fact that the rightholders to the prehistoric cartoon were worried as to how MacFarlane’s bold and sometimes raunchy and controversial brand of humor would be applied to the series reboot. It’s still unclear just how this new cartoon series is going to work, and no broadcast date is set, but the project will be set up at Fox. Honestly, this seems like a risky move, but I’m wholly interested in seeing what a guy like MacFarlane can do with such an iconic property.

[Update: We’ve been sent the press release with full details on the project, as well as quotes from MacFarlane. Hit the jump for more]

In the full press release from Fox, it’s revealed that MacFarlane’s take will be updated to the 21st century. His series will focus on “the lives of the Flintstones and the Rubbles, two hard-working middle-class families living with contemporary conveniences in the dinosaur-era town of Bedrock.” Dan Palladino (Gilmore Girls)and Kara Vallow (Family Guy) on onboard as executive producers, and the show is scheduled to go into production this fall with a TV debut set for 2013.

MacFarlane himself had this to say regarding the project:

“The very first cartoon character I drew at age two was Fred Flintstone. So it’s appropriate that events have come full circle, allowing me to produce the newest incarnation of this great franchise. Plus, I think America is finally ready for an animated sitcom about a fat, stupid guy with a wife who’s too good for him.”

Lest you worry that the MacFarlane’s revamped version replaces any of Hannah-Barbera’s beloved characters, Fred, Wilma and Pebbles Flintstone, as well as Barney Betty and Bamm-Bamm Rubble. And yes, Dino’s mentioned too.

Here’s the full press release:

FLINTSTONES! MEET “THE FLINTSTONES” ON FOX

Modern Stone-Age Family Returns to Television in

New Animated Series from Seth MacFarlane,

20th Century Fox Television and Warner Bros. Television

Yabba dabba doo! FOX haspicked up THE FLINTSTONES, a 21st century version of the classic animated comedy from executive producer Seth MacFarlane. In a cross-studio collaboration, THE FLINTSTONES will be produced jointly by 20th Century Fox Television and Warner Bros. Television. Warner Bros. is home to THE FLINTSTONES via its ownership of the Hanna-Barbera collection of animated titles. Dan Palladino (“Gilmore Girls”) and Kara Vallow (FAMILY GUY) will also serve as executive producers. THE FLINTSTONES will begin production in fall 2011 and will be set in stone on the FOX schedule in 2013.

“The very first cartoon character I drew at age two was Fred Flintstone,” said MacFarlane. “So it’s appropriate that events have come full circle, allowing me to produce the newest incarnation of this great franchise. Plus, I think America is finally ready for an animated sitcom about a fat, stupid guy with a wife who’s too good for him.”

“The Flintstones are among the funniest and most beloved characters in television history, and we can’t wait to introduce them to a whole new generation on FOX,” said Kevin Reilly, President of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “FOX has long been home to iconic families like the Simpsons and the Griffins, so I have no doubt that the Flintstones and the Rubbles are going to fit right in on our air.”

The (pre)historic return of THE FLINTSTONES will feature MacFarlane’s modern-day take on the lives of the Flintstones and the Rubbles, two hard-working middle-class families living with contemporary conveniences in the dinosaur-era town of Bedrock. The series centers on hard-headed patriarch FRED FLINTSTONE and best friend and sidekick BARNEY RUBBLE. Fred’s Stone-Age clan includes wife WILMA, daughter PEBBLES and pet dinosaur DINO, while Barney’s brood consists of wife BETTY and son BAMM-BAMM.

MacFarlane’s lineup of animated series continues to dominate Sunday nights. Everyone’s favorite families from Quahog, Langley Falls and Stoolbend will be back for more laughs as FAMILY GUY, AMERICAN DAD and THE CLEVELAND SHOW were recently renewed for a 10th, seventh and fourth seasons, respectively.

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